United States: Recipes and Cuisine

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, United States
Image by Pixabay

The cooking and cuisine of the United States defies easy categorization. While well known for the mass production and global uniformity of fast food outlets, America is actually home to wide-ranging regional cuisine and the influence of immigrant groups past and present. From New England clam chowder to Texas barbecue to cioppino in the City by the Bay, the cuisine of the United States has thrills around every corner.

Typical American Dishes

A list of typical American dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan an American-style meal, party or festival.

Appetizers

  • Buffalo Wings (Spicy-vinegary chicken wings)
  • Crab Cakes (Fried crabmeat patties)
  • Nachos (Tortilla chips with toppings)
  • Onion Rings (Breaded, fried onions)
  • Potato Chips (Fried thin-sliced potatoes)
  • Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (American Halloween snack)
  • Rocky Mountain Oysters (Sautéed pig testicles)

Soups and Stews

  • Chicken-Noodle Soup
  • Chili con Carne (Tex-Mex spicy beef stew)
  • Gumbo (Thick okra stew)
  • Oyster Stew (Shellfish stew)
  • Vermont Cheddar Soup

Salads

  • Cobb Salad (Salad with a variety of toppings)
  • Potato Salad
  • Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
  • Sweet Coleslaw (Sweet cabbage salad)

Noodles and Pasta

  • Lasagna (Layered pasta with fillings)
  • Macaroni and Cheese (Pasta with cheese)
  • Spaghetti and Meatballs
  • Tuna-Noodle Casserole

Sandwiches

  • BBQ Pork Sandwich
  • BLT (Bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich)
  • Club Sandwich (Sandwich with chicken, tomato and bacon)
  • Dagwood (Oversized, double-decker sandwich)
  • Egg Salad Sandwich
  • French Dip au Jus (Roast beef sandwich with jus dipping sauce)
  • Grilled Cheese Sandwich
  • Hamburger
  • Hot Dogs (Beef or pork sausages on a bun with condiments)
  • Muffaletta (Meat and olive spread sandwich)
  • PBJ (Peanut butter and jelly sandwich)
  • Pork Tenderloin Sandwich
  • Reuben (Ham, Swiss and sauerkraut on rye)
  • Sloppy Joes (Seasoned ground beef sandwich)
  • Tuna Salad Sandwich

Poultry

  • Chicken and Dumplings (Chicken stew with baking powder dumplings)
  • Chicken Pot Pie (United States savory chicken pie)
  • Fried Chicken
  • Roast Turkey with Gravy (American holiday turkey)

Meats

  • BBQ Spare Ribs
  • Beer-braised Bratwurst
  • Chicken-Fried Steak (Breaded steak cutlet)
  • Corn Dogs (Cornbread and hot dog on a stick)
  • Kalua Pork (Roast pork)
  • Meatloaf (Baked ground beef loaf)
  • North Carolina BBQ Pork
  • Smothered Pork Chops (Pork chops with onion gravy)

Fish and Seafood

  • BBQ Oysters
  • Fried Catfish
  • Pan-fried Walleye

Vegetables and Beans

  • Boston Baked Beans (White beans baked with molasses)
  • Corn on the Cob
  • Creamed Corn (Corn simmered in cream)
  • Mashed Potatoes (Potato puree)
  • Sausage-stuffed Acorn Squash
  • Southern Greens
  • Stewed Tomatoes

Breads and Grains

  • Baking Powder Biscuits
  • Boston Brown Bread (Molasses bread)
  • Southern Cornbread
  • Cornbread Dressing (Southern dressing)
  • Dinner Rolls
  • French Fries (Deep-fried potato sticks)
  • Hot Cross Buns
  • Hoppin’ John (Rice and black-eyed peas)
  • Wheat Bread
  • Wild Rice Pilaf (Wild grain)
  • White Bread

Sauces and Condiments

  • À la King (Leftovers in a white sauce)
  • Cranberry Sauce (Cranberry condiment)
  • Guacamole (Avocado sauce)
  • Sausage Gravy

Desserts

  • Apple Cake
  • Caramel Apples (Caramel-covered apples)
  • Coca-Cola Cake
  • Cranberry Pudding (Steamed Christmas pudding)
  • Lemon Bars
  • Peach Cobbler (Peaches baked with pastry)
  • Pumpkin Pie (Pumpkin dessert)
  • Gelatin Dessert
  • Poundcake
  • Snickerdoodles (Cinnamon-scented sugar cookies)
  • Strawberry Shortcake (Strawberries with a sweet biscuit)

Beverages

  • Birch Beer
  • Cocktails (Various alcoholic beverages)
  • Eggnog (Egg and cream Christmas beverage)
  • Gingerale (Ginger-flavored soft drink)
  • Lemonade
  • Limeade
  • Root Beer (Sarsaparilla-flavored soft drink)

Breakfast

  • Hangtown Fry (Oyster and bacon omelet)
  • Hash Browns (Sautéed grated potatoes)
  • Pancakes (Sweet skillet flatbread)

Preserves

  • Pepper Jelly

American Recipes

Try these recipes from the United States.

Wild Rice Pilaf 
(Canadian-American wild grain pilaf)
Mix of wild and regular rice

Wild Rice Pilaf 
(Canadian-American wild grain pilaf)

Corn Maque Choux 
(Cajun-Creole corn and peppers simmered in cream)
Corn maque choux

Corn Maque Choux 
(Cajun-Creole corn and peppers simmered in cream)

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)
Casserole dish with bread stuffing

Classic Bread Stuffing 
(American seasoned bread side dish)

Smothered Pork Chops 
(American Southern-Soul pork chops with onion gravy)
Plate with smothered pork chops

Smothered Pork Chops 
(American Southern-Soul pork chops with onion gravy)

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)
Plate of spaghetti and meatballs

Spaghetti and Meatballs 
(American pasta with meatballs)

Maine Lobster Rolls 
(American, New England lobster salad sandwiches)
Lobster roll sandwich

Maine Lobster Rolls 
(American, New England lobster salad sandwiches)

Chicken Luau 
(American, Hawaiian chicken with taro leaves)
Chicken with taro leaves

Chicken Luau 
(American, Hawaiian chicken with taro leaves)

Snickerdoodles 
(American cinnamon-scented sugar cookies)
Plate of snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodles 
(American cinnamon-scented sugar cookies)

Clambake 
(American, New England seafood and vegetable beach barbecue)
Large pot with clambake ingredients

Clambake 
(American, New England seafood and vegetable beach barbecue)

Mashed Potatoes 
(Irish and American potato puree)
Bowl of mashed potatoes

Mashed Potatoes 
(Irish and American potato puree)

Sweet Tea 
(American Southern summer tea drink)
Southern sweet tea in a Ball jar

Sweet Tea 
(American Southern summer tea drink)

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds 
(American Halloween snack)
Roasted pumpkin seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds 
(American Halloween snack)

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)
Skillet of chicken pot pie with biscuit crust

Chicken Pot Pie 
(American savory chicken stew in pastry)

Strawberry Shortcake 
(American strawberries with a sweet biscuit)
Serving of strawberry shortcake with whipped cream

Strawberry Shortcake 
(American strawberries with a sweet biscuit)

Hoppin’ John 
(American rice and black-eyed peas)
Skillet with hoppin' John

Hoppin’ John 
(American rice and black-eyed peas)

Popcorn Balls 
(American caramel-coated popcorn treat)
Popcorn balls

Popcorn Balls 
(American caramel-coated popcorn treat)

Cajun and Creole Seasoning 
(American Louisiana herb and spice blend)
Jar of Cajun-Creole seasoning

Cajun and Creole Seasoning 
(American Louisiana herb and spice blend)

Haupia 
(American-Hawaiian coconut pudding)
Plate with haupia

Haupia 
(American-Hawaiian coconut pudding)

Gumbo 
(American Cajun-Creole meat and shellfish stew)
Bowl of gumbo over rice

Gumbo 
(American Cajun-Creole meat and shellfish stew)

Hamburgers 
(American grilled beef patty sandwiches)
Cheeseburger with tomatoes, lettuce and onion wrapped in paper

Hamburgers 
(American grilled beef patty sandwiches)

Sweet Potato Pie 
(American, Southern-Soul sweet potato open-faced tart)
Freshly baked sweet potato pie

Sweet Potato Pie 
(American, Southern-Soul sweet potato open-faced tart)

Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cookies 
(American cinnamon-scented baked treat)
Plate of glazed pumpkin cookies

Glazed Pumpkin Spice Cookies 
(American cinnamon-scented baked treat)

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)
Casserole dish of candied sweet potatoes

Candied Sweet Potatoes 
(American sugar-baked sweet potatoes)

Guacamole 
(Mexican avocado sauce and condiment)
Small dish a guacamole with avocados and a tomato

Guacamole 
(Mexican avocado sauce and condiment)

North Carolina Pulled Pork Recipe 
(American Southern barbecue pork sandwich)
North Carolina pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw

North Carolina Pulled Pork Recipe 
(American Southern barbecue pork sandwich)

Cedar Plank Salmon 
(Canadian salmon grill-roasted on aromatic wood)
Salmon on cedar planks cooking on a grill

Cedar Plank Salmon 
(Canadian salmon grill-roasted on aromatic wood)

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)
Plate of oysters Rockefeller

Oysters Rockefeller 
(American oysters with green sauce appetizer)

Baked Country Ham 
(American Southern roasted ham)
Freshly roasted country ham

Baked Country Ham 
(American Southern roasted ham)

Sausage Gravy 
(American white sauce with sausage)
Sausage gravy on a biscuit

Sausage Gravy 
(American white sauce with sausage)

Southwestern Dry Rub 
(American Southwest meat, poultry and seafood grill seasoning)
A mixture for Southwestern-style dry spice rub

Southwestern Dry Rub 
(American Southwest meat, poultry and seafood grill seasoning)

Hawaiian Kalbi Ribs 
(Hawaiian-American barbecued beef short ribs)
Platter of Hawaiian kalbi beef ribs

Hawaiian Kalbi Ribs 
(Hawaiian-American barbecued beef short ribs)

Sonoran Hot Dogs 
(Mexican, American Southwestern beef frankfurter sandwich)
Two Sonoran hot dogs

Sonoran Hot Dogs 
(Mexican, American Southwestern beef frankfurter sandwich)

Creamed Corn 
(American corn kernels simmered with cream)
Small bowl with a serving of creamed corn

Creamed Corn 
(American corn kernels simmered with cream)

Sloppy Joes 
(American Midwest seasoned ground beef sandwiches)
Two sloppy Joe sandwiches

Sloppy Joes 
(American Midwest seasoned ground beef sandwiches)

Scalloped Potatoes 
(American, Australian potatoes baked with cream)
Serving dish of nicely browned scalloped potatoes

Scalloped Potatoes 
(American, Australian potatoes baked with cream)

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)
Glass bowl with cranberry sauce

Cranberry Sauce 
(American cranberry compote)

Corn Dogs 
(American hot dog and cornbread on a stick)
Fresh corn dogs on a draining rack

Corn Dogs 
(American hot dog and cornbread on a stick)

Green Bean Casserole 
(American green beans side dish with a crunchy topping)
Pan of green bean casserole

Green Bean Casserole 
(American green beans side dish with a crunchy topping)

Chili con Carne 
(American Tex-Mex spicy beef stew)
Large pot of chili simmering on outdoor stove

Chili con Carne 
(American Tex-Mex spicy beef stew)

New York Cheesecake 
(American Mid-Atlantic cream cheese dessert)
A slice of cheesecake with raspberry sauce

New York Cheesecake 
(American Mid-Atlantic cream cheese dessert)

Potato Salad 
(American potatoes with mayonnaise)
Potato salad on a plate

Potato Salad 
(American potatoes with mayonnaise)

Memphis Barbecue Ribs 
(American Southern-Soul slow-cooked pork ribs)
Memphis barbecue ribs on a sheet pan

Memphis Barbecue Ribs 
(American Southern-Soul slow-cooked pork ribs)

Cowboy Beans 
(American Tex-Mex beans with ground beef)
Small bowl of cowboy beans

Cowboy Beans 
(American Tex-Mex beans with ground beef)

Boston Brown Bread 
(American steamed whole-grain molasses bread)
Slices of Boston brown bread with cream cheese

Boston Brown Bread 
(American steamed whole-grain molasses bread)

Coca-Cola Cake 
(American cocoa-cola cake)
Closeup of a slice of coca-cola cake

Coca-Cola Cake 
(American cocoa-cola cake)

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